Samuel "Sam" Newhall Crane, 2nd Base, Washington Nationals, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge and Gypsy Queen Cigarettes 1887

This is a promotional card for Gypsy Queen Cigarettes, featuring Samuel “Sam” Newhall Crane, a second baseman for the Washington Nationals. Printed in 1887 by Goodwin & Company, the card is made from thin paper stock, typical for mass-produced ephemera of the time. The sepia-toned photograph is a reminder of the industrialization of image-making, and how the mass media was quickly evolving at the time. Produced in vast quantities, these cards were inserted into cigarette packs, incentivizing repeat purchases. The image of Crane and the material of the card, therefore, speak to the intertwining of leisure, celebrity, and consumer culture. Note that this wasn't necessarily high art, but an everyday commercial item, which gained a new status through popularity and collecting. Looking closely at it, we can reconsider our notions of value and artistic merit, and recognize artistry in unexpected places.